But a little more quietly, Charlie Berger and friends have been gathering a collection of wood barrels for some small-batch experimentation.

A 93-gallon cognac barrel arrived from France, still holding a couple gallons of the sweet liquor, Berger said. The brewers filled that with a barleywine that is still aging on its first fill.

Two Wild Turkey barrels are full of Russian Imperial Stout. A French chardonnay barrel holds a Belgian pale ale. And a red wine barrel is on its second fill. The first was a dry stout, the second sounds like dessert – a Belgian imperial stout with chocolate and Western Slope cherries.

“We are hoping after the first go-around in these barrels, to get get going on sours,” Berger said. “These right now are definitely more going to focus on the woody characteristics.”

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In Colorado, our pint glasses overflow with excellent beer. New breweries, new batches, festivals every other week. How lucky are we? First Drafts is The Denver Post's beer blog aimed at helping you keep tabs on the state's ever-expanding craft beer culture. We offer a mash of news, event coverage, homegrown stories, tasting notes and tips to help you imbibe. Expert drinker or homebrewer? Let us know what you're loving about Colorado's beer scene. Not sure exactly what a firkin is? No worries, let us be your guide. Go ahead. Belly up and drink it in!